Imagine the incredible results you’d have if you and your team really focused on a consistent basis.
You’d likely…
- contribute more
- waste less time ramping back up
- serve customers better (internally and externally)
- find more customers
- come up with more ideas
- plan better
- be less frustrated and stressed
- help others focus more (by interrupting them less)
- make more money (for everyone… including you)
Nothing’s guaranteed, of course. But it’s a better bet. (And in the long run, you’ll enjoy more.)
____________________
4 ways to knock out the bulk of distractions
- Establish focus hours with your team (or company-wide) – chunks of time each day where everyone will allow everyone else to focus (that includes you). No inter-office communications unless it truly can’t wait. At JustSell, ours are from 9 am – 11 am and 2 pm – 4 pm (4 total hours a day). You’ll make mistakes occasionally and break focus hours but with commitment and reinforcement, everyone will benefit. If you’re really SalesTough, in order to minimize outside distractions, let your family and friends know your focus hours.
- Turn off email alerts and commit to checking it at the most minimal level you feel is possible for your particular sales world without having a negative impact on service. If you’re SalesTough, most of your inbound emails are probably important but still don’t need attention for at least an hour (if not longer). Be truthful with yourself and set your interval so everyone wins. If you can set only two or three specific times a day to respond to email, do it.
- Turn off instant messaging services unless your work absolutely requires it to get the job done. Having to phone someone or talk with them live (by visiting them) will make you more aware and respectful of someone else’s time (and yours).
- Avoid the web during money hours unless you absolutely need it for your work. The distractions are endlessly wonderful for those who’d prefer to avoid making things happen (which of course, isn’t your goal). If you must open a browser during the money hours (or focus hours), make sure your home page is something that doesn’t have the potential to encourage you down destruction distraction road (e.g., news or email sites, personalized pages, etc.). Search and discover outside your money hours or at lunch.
Managers: Depending on your team, some or all of these ideas might not go over well (we know firsthand). Involving people in a discussion, asking them for ideas on how to improve internal focus and minimize distractions, might be a good first step. Also, consistently helping people remember the purpose behind what it is you do for customers can help gain commitment to your reasons for focusing.
Questions? Email Sam Parker.
Alex Leonov says:
Focusing, something I rarely do… Need to repack my schedule! Simple but great post!
31 August 2010
rob says:
i actually just bookmarked this site as my home page (rather than my igoogle home page).
29 July 2010
Sandy Barris says:
33:33
Thrity Three Minutes and thirty Three Seconds.
That’s the magic number I use when I need to focus.
I’d love to tell you that it was my idea, but it comes for the late Eugene Schwartz, one of the worlds greatest copywriters who admits he never had a creative block using this technique.
So, try setting your timer for 33:33, hit go and your must not move away from what you have to do. During that time, you fully concentrate on the task at hand and would not get up from his desk or allow yourself to be distracted by anything.
But the minute the timer went off, no matter what you are doing or how deeply engrossed you are, get up from the desk, walk away and take a break. Take a 5 minute break. Get up, walk around, open mail, whatever. You’ll be giving your brain time to stew what you just did. Bringing new idea up and soon, task complete.
That is the secret of getting things done. Totally focused on the task at hand for 33 minutes and 33 seconds… and no longer.. do what has to be done in short bursts.
Granted, it does take some planning and that’s where http://www.FastMarketingPlan.com shines. Plus it’s a great planning tool for sales too.
After all sales and marketing go hand in hand, right?
Sandy Barris
7 July 2010
Matt says:
What do you do about indirect office distractions? Other coworkers talking near you, laughing, doing other things that could be considered bothersome and not work appropriate. They may not be distracting me directly, but they are things that make it hard for me to focus.
7 June 2010
Dan says:
Regarding the comments on using a timer …
… see “The Pomodoro Technique(TM)” at http://www.pomodorotechnique.com/
7 June 2010
212Sales » Blog Archive » How to Focus says:
[...] Courtesy of JustSell.com [...]
3 June 2010
How to Focus « says:
[...] Courtesy of JustSell.com [...]
3 June 2010
Tania says:
I’ve found a great way to concentrate is to work in “bursts”. Decide the task(s), allocate say 1 hour and set a timer (on your pc, phone, or watch). Then get your head down for 60 minutes concentrated effort. At the end of that time reward yourself with a coffee and short break and then move on the next “burst”…–CheersMarkRealLifeSelling
+1
25 May 2010
Eric Pinola says:
The blank homepage is a great idea; the negative “news” always grabs for your attention. It should, their sales people are busy writing headlines that should grab / sell you.
EP
10 May 2010
Rhino Runner says:
All of these pointers can be summed up in one sentence…
“Get off your stupid phone and get to work”
B2B sales distraction maximum – IPhone/Blackberry/Whatever
14 April 2010
Jim Roach says:
Unless you are in an “Account Management” type roll that requires you to be instantly accessible, it is fair (and reasonable) to set the expectation with your prospect/client that you are not always 100% accessible, however you are 100% responsive.
Think of it as equal business stature – in prospect/client world if they respond to their clients in 24 hours they feel that is acceptable, so if you cut that time in half, you’re twice a quick as them! You are important and busy too…..
Turning off email, blackberries, etc. is vital during money time – unless you are truly that disciplined. Stay focused and cross things off the list.
29 March 2010
Daniel M. Wood says:
One of the largest problems companies have is that their employees don’t work at their maximum capacity. Often it isn’t because of under motivated employees but such useless things as to many interruptions in their work day.
I think the tips you provide in this article are great ways to increase the productivity of your company.
Thanks.
//Daniel M. Wood
19 March 2010
Mark Goodson says:
I’ve found a great way to concentrate is to work in “bursts”. Decide the task(s), allocate say 1 hour and set a timer (on your pc, phone, or watch). Then get your head down for 60 minutes concentrated effort. At the end of that time reward yourself with a coffee and short break and then move on the next “burst”…
–
Cheers
Mark
RealLifeSelling
3 March 2010
Brian Satterlee says:
Distractions abound in this technology age. It’s hard to ignore a ringing phone, email coming in a mile a minute, or text messages from the family. Sometimes you just have to put your head down, get stuff done, and leave the distractions for later. Nice article.
26 February 2010
Primo says:
Great idea!
10 February 2010
Mary says:
Awesome article!
5 February 2010
Roman says:
Indeed, focus Daniel son!!!>>>>>>>>:)
14 January 2010
Sam Parker says:
Thanks everyone!
29 December 2009
PATRICK SWAN says:
I’M BREAKING MY EMAIL RULE RIGHT NOW—-
GMAIL ALLOWS ME TO ORGANIZE MY TIME-AND IF I ADD IN BLACKBERRY BLACKOUTS I CAN CUT DOWN MY ‘NET’ TIME TO 30MIN BETWEEN8-6…
28 December 2009
Rebecca Schwartz says:
Great article; thank you!
28 December 2009
Lori Loberg says:
Regarding #4 above… To help avoid distractions when using the web, set your home page to BLANK. That way, when the browser opens, it doesn’t display a page full of content.
Here’s how to set it in Internet Explorer:
1. Tools > Internet Options.
2. On the General tab, delete whatever is in the Home Page box and then click the Use Blank button.
Firefox has a similar setting. Other browsers probably do as well.
28 December 2009
Sean Sheppard says:
Well done!
28 December 2009